Each week we highlight an enterprising Houstonian who helps shape the unique character of our city, asking them to share their own favorite tips, activities and things to do. This week we feature Houston’s own Cindi Rose, an artist who holds the world speed record in silhouette-cutting and founded the Holly Rose Ribbon Foundation to assist cancer survivors.

My Top 5 Things to Do in Houston

by Cindi Rose

1. Urban Harvest Farmers Market – I love to cook, so naturally a stop at the Urban Harvest Farmer’s Market, at 3000 Richmond and 2311 Canal Street, is a must. It is best to go by 10am to avoid the morning crowds and to have a chance to talk to the growers. I find my favorite fruits, vegetables and farm fresh cage free eggs. Being local, you can find both unique and seasonal offerings. I grow organic fresh herbs in my yard and the farmer’s market is way I can continue my mission of preparing fresh food for me and my husband daily and also be environmentally conscious.
2. Houston’s Performing Arts – Houston’s cultural scene is incredible and my husband and I love attending the wonderful performances featured by Houston Grand Opera, Houston Ballet, Houston Symphony and Moores School of Music.
3. The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston – MFAH is a favorite of mine for middle-of-the-week inspiration. I am fascinated by the permanent collections—the art of Europe, Africa, Asia and Mexico. The “Age of Impressionism” is one that always inspires other French painterly arts. Afterwards, I head to Texas Art Supply on Montrose or Voss and load up on linseed oil, turpentine, oil paints, and canvas, to create my own masterpieces, often incorporating my cut-silhouette scraps from French vintage paper.
4. High Fashion Fabrics – A trip to High Fashion Fabrics in downtown Houston at 3101 Louisiana is eye candy. By far the best selection of fabrics if you want to design your own clothes!
5. Canoe Trips on Buffalo Bayou – It is fun to rent canoes on the Bayou. Try roughing it from Memorial to downtown for an exhilarating  outdoor activity.

About Cindi Rose

A second generation Houstonian, Cindi Harwood Rose is well known as the fastest silhouette artist in the world. Since she first began the lost art at Astroworld at the age 16, she continued honing her skills for guests at Disneyland and then Walt Disney World, where she did more than 600 silhouettes a day. She set her world speed record in San Antonio, cutting 144 silhouettes in one hour. Much of her work supports the Holly Rose Ribbon Foundation. Named for her sister Holly Harwood Skolkin who battled cancer for 15 years, the foundation provides reconstructive surgery for survivors of breast cancer. On Tuesday, March 25, 2014, she is holding a fundraiser for the the Holly Rose Ribbon Foundation called “Off with Your Head,” where she will face-off with Great Britain’s reigning silhouette-cutting artist to set a new world record. You can learn more about Cindi, and see some of her work, at Silhouettes by Cindi.